What they do
Monkeyflowers add bright, easy-to-find blooms that can offer nectar to visiting pollinators.
Plant profile
Monkeyflowers
Genera Mimulus & Erythranthe
Monkeyflowers are cheerful, nectar-rich wildflowers known for snapdragon-like blooms that can brighten garden edges, pots, and damp spots while supporting visiting pollinators.
Plant Type
Wildflowers (herbaceous perennials) > Monkeyflowers
Aliases
Monkeyflower
Native Range
This group includes species native to parts of North America; choose locally appropriate species when possible.
Bloom window
Often blooms from late spring into summer, with timing depending on the species and conditions.
OVERVIEW
About This Plant
Monkeyflowers are a flexible choice for pollinator-friendly planting because they can work in small spaces and in places that stay moist. If you have a damp corner of the yard, a rain-garden edge, or a container you can keep watered, monkeyflowers can add bright blooms that are easy for pollinators to notice.
When shopping, look for the scientific name on the label (Mimulus or Erythranthe) and choose a plant that matches your site. Some types prefer more sun, others do well with part shade, and many appreciate steady moisture. If you’re building a small pollinator patch, pair monkeyflowers with a few other plants that bloom earlier and later so there’s something in flower across the season.
For the biggest impact, keep the area pesticide-free and focus on simple care: consistent watering, a little mulch, and enough space for airflow.
Best role for pollinators
Moist garden areas, rain-garden edges, containers that are watered regularly, and adding bright color that pollinators can find.
FAST FACTS
Quick Details
Essential stats and requirements for quick reference.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Monkeyflower |
| Bloom window | Often blooms from late spring into summer, with timing depending on the species and conditions. |
| Typical height | Low to medium height depending on the species; many stay compact and work well near the front of a bed. |
| Pollinators supported | Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
| Light & moisture | Sun to part shade; evenly moist soil is often best. |
| Best roles for pollinators | Moist garden areas, rain-garden edges, containers that are watered regularly, and adding bright color that pollinators can find. |
SUMMARY
If You Remember Three Things
A quick scan of what they do, what they need, and the best first step.
What they need
They generally do best with steady moisture and a site that matches the species (sun or part shade).
One best action
Choose a spot you can keep evenly moist, especially during establishment and hot, dry spells.
IMPACT
Why Plant This?
Monkeyflowers are a practical way to add pollinator-friendly blooms in places that stay moist, including small gardens and containers, helping create more usable habitat in everyday spaces.
The common name comes from the flower’s “face,” which some people think looks a bit like a monkey.
Key Impacts
What it Supports
- Bright blooms can help pollinators quickly locate food in small gardens and containers.
- Moisture-loving flowers can expand habitat options beyond dry, sunny beds.
- A small patch can still make a difference when it’s pesticide-free and has blooms through the season.
RECOGNITION
Identification Guide
Monkeyflowers are best recognized by their bright, two-lipped blooms and soft, leafy stems.
Leaves
Leaves are often opposite on the stem, generally oval to lance-shaped, and may feel soft or slightly sticky depending on the species.
Flowers
Showy, two-lipped, snapdragon-like blooms with a wide opening; colors vary widely by species and cultivar.
Fruits
After flowering, plants form small seed capsules that dry and release fine seeds.
LOCATION
Where It Grows
Native environments and the best spots to place it in your landscape.
Habitats
- Stream edges and wet meadows
- Moist woodland edges
- Seeps, ditches, and other seasonally wet areas
- Garden beds and containers with consistent watering
Where it is often used
- Rain-garden edge or other consistently moist spots
- Container planting (especially where you can water regularly)
- Front-of-border color in sun to part shade
- Pollinator patch plantings near paths and patios
SEASONALITY
When It Blooms
Notes on bloom windows and how this plant helps pollinators across the seasons.
Bloom window
Bloom timing varies by species, but many monkeyflowers flower from late spring into summer.
Bloom Season Role: A colorful nectar stop that can help fill gaps between other blooms.
Seasonal benefits
- Adds bright color when many gardens shift from spring to summer blooms
- Can pair well with early and late bloomers to keep flowers available longer
REQUIREMENTS
What It Needs
The right mix of sun, soil, and space for healthy growth.
Sun exposure
Many do well in sun to part shade; match the plant to your site.
Soil type
Moist, well-drained soil is a common sweet spot; rich soil can support fuller growth.
Moisture needs
Water regularly, especially in containers and during dry spells; aim for evenly moist soil rather than cycles of drought and flood.
Planting method
Plant in spring or early fall so roots can settle in; space to allow airflow and reduce stress.
Mulching tips
Use a light layer of mulch to help hold moisture, keeping mulch a little back from the crown.
GARDENING GUIDE
How to Grow It
Simple steps to plant, prune, and maintain healthy trees without pesticides.
Planting tips
- Pick a spot with sun to part shade and soil you can keep evenly moist.
- Loosen the soil and mix in compost if the soil is very sandy or compacted.
- Plant at the same depth as the pot, then water in well.
- Add a light mulch layer to reduce drying, leaving space around the stem base.
- Water consistently for the first few weeks while the plant establishes.
Seasonal care
- Water during dry spells; containers may need more frequent watering.
- Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowering (if your plant responds well to it).
- After flowering, tidy stems as needed; leave some seedheads if you want self-seeding where appropriate.
- Divide or replant if clumps get crowded over time (species-dependent).
What not to do
- Planting in a spot that dries out quickly and then forgetting to water.
- Keeping the soil constantly waterlogged with no drainage.
- Spraying for pests while the plant is blooming.
- Crowding plants so leaves stay damp and airflow is poor.
Pairings
Best Pairings for Season-Long Bloom
Pairing ideas to keep pollinators fed throughout the growing season.
Early Bloom
- Wild columbine (*Aquilegia canadensis*)
- Golden alexanders (*Zizia aurea*)
Mid-Season Bloom
- Bee balm (*Monarda* spp.)
- Black-eyed Susan (*Rudbeckia* spp.)
Late-Season Bloom
- Asters (*Symphyotrichum* spp.)
- Goldenrods (*Solidago* spp.)
Because “monkeyflower” covers many species, check the tag for the scientific name and choose a type that fits your light and moisture conditions—especially if you’re planting for a local habitat project.
GLOSSARY
Key Terms
A few quick terms you might see on plant tags or in garden guides:
Glossary terms are being added.
What You Can Do
Make a difference for native habitats.
Turn this knowledge into action. Whether you plant a single pot or a whole garden, you are building a vital bridge for local biodiversity.
Join the movement to restore our shared habitats.